Much to my surprise, at a recent meeting of SHAN (Southend Homeless Action Network), HARP asked if the churches could run a Winter Night Shelter (WNS) this winter! This follows HARP recognising the challenges they faced in running a WNS last winter – they had 35 guests every night with very few staff and not enough volunteers, though they did house many of the guests in the various types of accommodation that they manage.
Last week, I met with Vanessa (CEO, HARP) and Amanda (one of the Senior Managers at HARP) to discuss this request and was asked to approach the churches who hosted a WNS in 2019/20 to see if they would be prepared to host a shelter this winter. Or, if not, if they would be prepared to encourage their folk to volunteer at a WNS somewhere else in the City.
I have done that, but now wish to extend the invitation to participate to as many churches across Southend as possible because, before I respond to HARP, I need to know whether there will be enough churches and/or volunteers.
I am therefore looking for expressions of interest from:
a) churches that would be prepared to host a WNS; and/or
b) individuals who might be able to help in any way. It’s not known at this stage what commitment from individuals will be required but obviously the more people who volunteer the less the commitment will be.
One immediate response to my initial communication was from a city-centre church that may be able to host a single-site WNS with a different church (or a group of churches) supplying a team of volunteers for each night of the week. If that happens, would you prefer that approach?
It would be greatly appreciated if leadership teams/congregations/individuals could consider this opportunity as a matter of urgency please. I apologise for the short time scales, but please get back to me with your thoughts/ideas/responses ASAP – by the end of the month at the very latest please.
This is a real opportunity for the churches and Christians in Southend to show God’s love in action and to have a significant and positive effect on some of the most vulnerable members of our community.
Please note that I will NOT be Co-Ordinating any such project, so volunteers for this role are very welcome!
And, as far as I know, Southend City Council have not got any funding available for a WNS, although the result of the recent General Election may change that!
Please pray, and kindly respond ASAP.
Thank you and God bless,
John Simmons
e-mail: john.simmons17ewb@btinternet.com
Mobile: 07866 740065 (text only please)
Do we know whether there are going to be any winter night shelters being planned for the coming months, only the temperature is dropping below freezing already and if the WNS’s are happening volunteers will need to be recruited a.s.a.p. Thanks, in anticipation
Hello David, Please see update here: https://www.lovesouthend.org/news/love-southend-churches-winter-night-shelter-and-warm-spaces-update/